Disability Support Services

Proloquo2go 

Features:

• Augmented and Alternative Communication tool for people who cannot speak or have difficulty speaking for themselves
• Over 75,000 pictures to help convey any needs throughout the day
• Free Text-to-Speech to let others hear your speech out loud
• More Information:  http://www.assistiveware.com/proloquo2go

Cost: Donation Program

Compatibility: iOS: iPad

Verbally 

Features:

• Augmented communication app for individuals of different ages and abilities
• Simplistically designed interface for ease of use
• With over 50 essentials words, a Core Phrases Grid for common phrases, and Text Prediction to increase the speed of communication
• Option to upgrade to Verbally Premium for the ability to customize phrases
• More Information:   https://www.iaccessibility.com/

Cost: Free

Compatibility: iOS: iPad

Dictation for Gmail

Features:

• Speech-to-text Chrome extension to assist with dictating emails
• Built into Gmail account
• Supports 60 languages
• More Information: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/dictation-forgmail/eggdmhdpffgikgakkfojgiledkekfdce?hl=en-US

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Chrome extension

Dictation.io

Features:

• Speech-to-text web application
• Allows for the ability to copy, save, publish, tweet, play, email, or print dictated text
• Supports 100 languages
• More Information: https://dictation.io/

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Online Web Application for Chrome Browser

Gboard

Features:

• Voice typing to dictate text on the go
• Includes other features as well: emoji search, handwriting, multilingual typing, glide typing, and google translate
• More Information:  https://support.google.com/gboard/answer/6380730?co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroidandhl=en

Cost: Free

Compatibility: iOS: iPad, iPhone; Android

Lipsurf

Features:

• Voice Control for the Web
• Works within the web browser for Google Docs, webpages, Gmail, and more
• Open Source Plugins
• Customizable shortcuts
• It stays offline when you are not using the program to respect the privacy of users
• More Information:  https://www.lipsurf.com/ 

Cost: Free, Plus ($3 a month), and Premium ($6 a month) Options

Compatibility: Chrome Extension

Speechnotes

Features:

• The speech-to-text tool is only for dictation
• Offers a distraction-free environment
• Allows for the ability to create new sessions, save to Google Drive, email, save to computer, and print
• Zoom options available
• More Information:  https://speechnotes.co/

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Online Web Application for Chrome Browser

Speech Recognizer

Features:

• Voice-to-text converter
• Supports more than 40 languages
• Requires internet connection
• Copy speech output into other apps
  

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Online Web Application for Chrome Browser

Voice Control for Mac, iPad, iPhone

Features:

• Control a Mac, iPad, or iPhone by voice
• Used with Siri speech-recognition engine
• Customizable vocabulary for commands
• More Information: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT210539

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Mac, iOS: iPad, iPhone

Voice note

Features:

• Extension for Google Chrome that allows you to type by simply speaking out loud
• Create a shortcut for easy use with other applications
• Speak your punctuation or click the buttons to add it to the text
• More Information:  https://goo.gl/LVMywx

Cost: Free

Compatibility: iOS: iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch

Voice Recognition in Windows 10

Features:

• Control a computer by voice
• Trains to the user’s voice
• Uses commands to navigate a computer
• More Information:  https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4027176/windows-10-use-voice-recognition

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Built-In to Windows Operating System

Voice Typing in Google docs

Features:

• Go into your Tools menu in Google Docs and select Voice Typing
• Click on the microphone that pops up and start talking
• Your text will be entered into the typing field
• Correct mistakes without moving your cursor
• No training needed
• More Information: https://goo.gl/bQfLtg3

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Built-In Chrome Browser Option

Ava

Features:

• On-the-fly closed captioning for what is being said around the user 24 hours a day and 7 days a week
• Use the app in meetings or conversations to see what people are said
• Large font and user-friendly font on the screen for easy reading
• Basic Version: Caption one-on-one conversations or group conversations for 2 or more people for up to 5 hours per month
• Unlimited Version: Caption one-on-one conversations or group conversations for 2 or more people for unlimited hours per month
• More Information:  me

Cost: Basic: free; unlimited: $29.99

Compatibility: iOS: iPad, iPhone; Android

Inspiration Maps

Features:

• Brainstorm and create mind maps using this app that’s similar to the fill Inspiration Program
• Organize projects to create flow charts
• Take notes using the visual system and icons to create maps and diagrams
• More Information:  https://www.diagrammingapps.com/inspiration-maps-product-page

Cost: Free and offers in-app purchases

Compatibility: iOS: iPad and iPhone

MindManager

Features:

• Create visual mind maps to organize brainstorming, concepts, tasks, ideas, lecture or meeting notes, or action items
• Easy to use gesture-based commands
• Mapping features include text styling, relationship, and various other tools
• Integrate your maps to Dropbox for easy sharing
• More Information:  https://www.mindmanager.com/en/

Compatibility: iOS: iPad; Android

Mindmeister

Features:

• Mind Mapping/Brainstorming tool for use on personal devices and the web
• Collaborate in real-time with other people
• Use the program to present your work
• Full use of software programs and features costs a small monthly fee
• More Information:  http://www.mindmeister.com/

Cost: Free; Pro- $8.25 a month

Compatibility: iOS: iPhone, iPad, iPod touch; Android

Mindmup

Features:

• Includes unlimited mind maps (create a new map or select an existing map)
• Cloud-Based storage
• Keyboard shortcuts
• Save to Google Drive
• Distraction-free environment
• More Information: https://www.mindmup.com/

Cost: Free and personal version for $2.99 a month

Compatibility: Online Resource

Popplet

Features:

• Online and app-based mind mapping too
• Visually put your thoughts down to create mind maps easily
• Print these mind maps for yourself or share them with others
• More Information:  http://popplet.com/

Cost: Free: web and lite app, $4.99: full app

Compatibility: Online Resource; iOS: iPad; iPhone, iPod touch

Access note

Features:

• Notetaking tool for those who are Blind or Visually Impaired created by the American Foundation for the Blind
• The app combines notetaking capabilities with the other accessibility features and functions of the iOS device
• Input notes with either QWERTY Keyboard, refreshable Braille Display
• More Information:  https://www.afb.org/aw/13/7/15797

Cost: Free

Compatibility: iOS: iPad, iPhone, iPod touch

Audionote

Features:

• Synchronize your notes with the audio recording of your lecture
• Take handwritten
• Import lecture slides as the background to your notes
• More Information:  http://luminantsoftware.com/iphone/audionote

Cost: Free and Paid Version $5.99-$12.99

Compatibility: Windows; Mac; iOS: iPad, Android

Evernote

Features:

• A one-stop place to collect notes, files, web clippings, and images with the ability to access them on virtually any device
• Collect and find your Information easily
• Great tool for researching, planning events, and everyday organizational use
• Collaborate with others on projects using the sharing features
• More Information:  http://evernote.com

Cost: $7.99 a month

Compatibility: Windows; Mac; iOS: iPad, iPhone; iPod Touch; Android; Windows Phone; Blackberry; hp WebOS

Microsoft Onenote

Features:

• Take all your notes in OneNote by typing, writing with a touchscreen, importing pictures, video, web links, and other resources
• Ability to record your lecture with this program
• Divide up your classes and work by notebook, section, and pages
• Search your notes for the ability to find what you need easily
• More Information:  http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/onenote/

Cost: Free with an Office account

Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS, iOS: iPad, iPhone, Android, Windows Phone

Penultimate

Features:

• Write, sketch, draw or doodle notes and Information on your iPad
• Lifelike paper in-app imitates writing on real paper
• Sync with your Evernote account for access anywhere, anytime, using your computer or mobile devices
• Search your notes using the search feature in your Evernote Account
• More Information:  https://evernote.com/penultimate/

Cost: Free

Compatibility: iOS: iPad

Yinote by Turbonote

Features:

• Take notes while watching videos
• Generate a PDF of notes
• Includes timestamps of notes
• Clicking on the timestamps generated with the notes will take you to the exact place in the video the note was taken
• Ability to watch videos with multiple people at the same time with the same notes
• More Information:  https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/yinote/fhpgggnmdlmekfdpkdgeiccfkignhkdf?hl=es

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Chrome extension

Any. do

Features:

• Manage your life in a simple, clever, and fun way using this to-do list app
• Synch your tasks on your mobile device and computer, or use the Chrome extension to sync with Gmail
• Use the reminder feature, so you never forget what you need to do or where you need to be
• More Information:  https://www.any.do/anydo

Cost: Free

Compatibility: iOS: iPad, iPhone, iPod touch; Android; Chrome Extension; Chrome App

Google Keep

Features:

• A visual bulletin board of post-it notes with reminders and tasks lists
• Ability to color-code your notes, add reminders and add photos and pictures to your notes
• Use your Google account to sync this on your computer, tablet, and phone
• More Information:  https://keep.google.com

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Online Resource, Android

Class

Features:

• Keep track of all your courses and course tasks in one place
• Reminders of when tasks are due
• Take and share notes using text, videos, audio, or photo notes
• Collaborate with classmates using the StudyRoom feature
• More Information:  http://www.inclassapp.com/

Cost: Free

Compatibility: iOS: iPad, iPhone, iPod touch

My homework

Features:

• Track your homework, tests, projects, and lessons
• Set and receive reminders when assignments are due, or tests are coming up
• Set up your class schedule within the app
• Synch your Information with any of the available devices
• Integrates and works with Teachers.io
• More Information:   https://myhomeworkapp.com/

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Windows; Chrome Extension; iOS: iPad, iPhone; Android; Kindle

Mystudylife

Features:

• Create an account to keep track of your school work, assignments, course, schedule, and exams
• Use the dashboard to schedule all your school-related work
• Cross-platform allows for access to your organizer wherever, whenever
• Set Reminders to help ensure all your work is done on time
• More Information: https://www.mystudylife.com/

Cost: Free

Compatibility: iOS; Android, Online Resource

Priority Matrix

Features:

• Simple interface task management app using methods of time management to help manage priorities
• Divide your tasks into one of four categories: Critical – Do Now; Critical but Not Urgent; Urgent but Can Be Delegated; Uncategorized
• The app includes visual icons, email reports, master list of daily or weekly action items, and more
• Ability to sync between devices and track your progress
• More Information:  https://appfluence.com/

Cost: Free - basic; Pro App: $10 a month

Compatibility: Windows; Mac; iOS: iPad, iPhone, iPod touch; Android

Remember the Milk

Features:

• Never forget the milk, or any other task using this task/to-do-list
• Organize your tasks with priorities, due dates, time estimates, tags, repeating tasks, and more
• Sync tasks on multiple devices and calendars such as Gmail, Google Calendar, Outlook, iCal, and more!
• Get email, text, or Instant Message Reminders to yourself using their website reminder feature
• More Information:  http://www.rememberthemilk.com/

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Online Resource; iOS: iPhone, iPad, iPod touch; Android

Todoist

Features:

• Sub tasks, notifications, prioritization, reminders, notes, and filters in this all-in-one to-do list
• Access tasks from anywhere and collaborate on shared tasks
• Streamlined, intuitive design makes it easy to use
• More Information:  https://todoist.com/pricing

Cost: Free; premium $36 a year

Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS, Online Resource; iOS: iPad, iPhone, iPod touch; Android

Workflowy

Features:

• Organizational tools used to help manage to-do lists collaborate on projects, take notes, write research papers, journals, and even plan!
• The free version allows for 500 items per month.
• Nested layouts, lists, bullets, ability to add dates, and other format and layout options
• Sync between phone, tablet, and computer
• More Information:  https://workflowy.com/

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Chrome Extension;  iOS: iPad, iPhone, iPod touch

Abbyy Textgrabber + Translator

Features:

• Using the camera of your device, capture text and translate it using OCR
• Easily extract text from books, magazines, newspapers, ads, etc.
• Use VoiceOver (iPad only) to listen to your document in a text-to-speech format
• Captured text can be edited and/or copied to another source
• More Information:  http://www.abbyy.com/textgrabber_ios/

Cost: Free with in-app purchases

Compatibility: iOS: iPad; Android

Adobe Acrobat Reader

Features:

• Free PDF reader if PDF documents are readable PDFs
• Listen to readings instead of reading them yourself
• Tagged PDFs are read in order in structure tree, untagged are read in logical inferred reading order
• Tagged PDFs will read alternative text descriptions
• More Information:  http://help.adobe.com/

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Windows; Mac OS

Balabolka

Features:

• Text-to-Speech program using the voices installed on your computer
• Save online text as mP3, mP4, WAV, OGG, or WMA file for portable or later listening
• Reads documents from the clipboard or file types such as DOC, EPUB, HTML, PDF, RTF, and more
• Customize the background color, font size, and reading options, including pitch and rate
• More Information:  http://www.cross-plus-a.com/balabolka.htm

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Windows

Bookshare Reader

Features:

• Download and listen to your Bookshare books on your Android device
• Read DAISY and EPUB books with voice navigated and text-to-speech
• Connects directly to online libraries, and Bookshare for quick download
• Optimized for visually-impaired readers but usable for anyone
• More Information:  https://www.bookshare.org/bookshare-reader

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Android, iOS

Cometdocs Pdf Converter

Features:

• Create and convert PDF documents to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Images, and other formats
• Use within Google Drive with the converted documents waiting for you there
• Use the web application, desktop app, or app on your iOS device to convert documents too
• More Information: http://www.cometdocs.com/

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Windows; iPad, iPhone; Chrome Extension

Fokus

Features:

• Highlight only the text you want to read while Fokus dims and darkens the rest of your Chrome or Firefox window with an overlay
• Highlights the paragraph you’re reading with the ability to change the opacity of the background overlay
• Easy to install extension with the ability to turn the feature on or off
• More Information:  https://chrome.google.com or https://addons.mozilla.org/

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Chrome and Firefox Add-On

Helperbird

Features:

• Text-to-speech and speech-to-text options
• Customizable styles and colors, including high contrast
• Includes features for assistance with color blindness and zoom features
• Overlay to reduce bright white light
• Other features: dictionary, Google translate, underlining, ad removal, dyslexia font, notes, and more
• More Information: https://www.helperbird.com/

Cost: Free version and $4.99 a month for the Plus version

Compatibility: Chrome Browser Extension

Immersive Reader

Features:

• Built-in text decoding solutions for students to assist with reading
• Enhanced dictation, focus mode, immersive reading, font spacing, short lines, parts of speech supports, syllabification, and comprehension mode
• More Information:  https://www.onenote.com/learningtools

Cost: Free add-in through Office Suite

Compatibility: Edge Browser, iOS, Windows

Ivona Minireader

Features:

• Use the Ivona Text-to-Speech Reader to read documents or webpages
• Using either the Full or Mini toolbar interface, click the play button to have webpages, emails, documents, and online news sources read out loud
• Available installation via third-party sites

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Windows

Mercury Reader

Features:

• Remove clutter from web pages for easier reading
• Customize the size of the test, the font, and if it’s a light or dark-themed background
• Send the task to Kindle for reading on that device
• More Information: https://reader.postlight.com/

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Chrome Extension

Natural reader 

Features:

• Text-to-Speech software that converts Microsoft Word, Webpages, PDFs, and Emails into spoken text
• Customize reading voice and speed for your readings
• Floating toolbar to read the text in other applications
• Online Text-to-Speech program with options to input text from various sources on your computer
• More Information:  http://www.naturalreaders.com/

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Windows; Mac OS; Online Resource

Open Library

Features:

• A collection of e-books
• Browse by subject, book title, or author
• Ability to create an account
• More Information:  https://openlibrary.org/

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Online Resource

Prizmo

Features:

• Take a picture and have immediate conversion into text with this OCR program for text-to-speech
• Ability to change the voice and interactive reading display with words highlighted as they are read
• 10 different languages built-in with over 30 addition for download
• Ability to edit the OCR results to correct spelling errors or reorder text
• More Information:  http://www.creaceed.com/prizmo/about

Cost: Free and Purchase Pro option ($49.99-$74.99)

Compatibility: iOS: iPad, iPhone

Read Mode

Features:

• Remove distractions from reading on the internet with this app
• Click the Chrome Extension for clean reading with black text on white background
• The click of a button removes ads and flash animations
• More Information:  https://goo.gl/wY6nY

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Chrome Extension

Rewordify

Features:

• Rewordify replaces higher-level vocabulary with words that are easier to understand
• Help build understanding within readings and builds vocabulary
• Difficult words are replaced and highlighted
• Click on the words that were replaced to see the original word in the text
• More Information: http://rewordify.com

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Online Resource

Select and Speak (formerly Speakit!)

Features:

• Select the text you want read aloud in your browser
• Click on the SpeakIt! Icon and the text will be read out loud
• Can read the text in more than 50 languages
• Ability to add new voices and change the speaking rate
• More Information:  https://www.ispeech.org/

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Chrome Extension

Speechify

Features:

• Has text read out to you in natural-sounding human voices using A.I. technologies?
• Upload documents into the application
• Have your text read in a variety of languages
• More Information:  https://speechify.com

Cost: Free

Compatibility: iOS: iPhone; Mac; Android; Online Resource

Text2speech

Features:

• Enter text from any source and have it read out loud by this online resource
• Ability to download file to an mp3 file
• Customize voice and speed
• 4000 character limit to text read
• More Information:  http://www.text2speech.org/

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Online Resource

Yuzu (formerly Nook Study)

Features:

• Read your textbooks on the go – anywhere
• Annotate your readings with highlights, sticky notes, and flags in your textbooks
• Filter your notes and highlights onto one screen
• More Information:  https://www.yuzu.com/

Cost: Free

Compatibility: iPad; Web App; Windows App

Evernote Skitch

Features:

• Using annotation and markup tools, make your point more easily with shapes, arrows, and quick sketches.
• Use it on your desktop, tablet, or phone.
• Share your ideas and get your point across more clearly with the ability to annotate
• Use annotation tools to collaborate and better study course materials
• More Information:  https://evernote.com/skitch/

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Windows; Mac; iOS: iPad, iPhone, iPod touch; Android

Iannotate

Features:

• Annotate PDF, Word Doc, PowerPoint, and image files with this app
• Use the typewriter, pen, highlighter, stamp, note, underline, photo, voice, and other tools to annotate your document
• Import PDFs or compress and export for secured sharing with others
• More Information:  http://www.branchfire.com/iannotate/

Cost: Free – Android; $9.99 – iOS

Compatibility: iOS: iPad; Android

Shahi Visual Dictionary

Features:

• An online picture dictionary is great for anyone, or those with a visual learning preference or English Language Learners
• Dictionary finds pictures from Flickr, Google, and Yahoo
• Hyperlinked words in the definition are easily able to be defined with pictures
• More Information:  http://blachan.com/shahi/

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Online Resource

Study Blue

Features:

• Study virtually any topic with this on-the-go flashcard study aid
• Create your own flashcards or use one of the over 150 million notes and cards already created by other uses
• Test yourself and get your score of how many right and wrong, with the option to focus more on the items you don’t know
• Study on the go using your mobile device
• More Information:  https://www.studyblue.com

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Web, iOS: iPad, iPhone, iPod touch; Android

Quizlet

Features:

• Online resource of study tools and games for virtually any educational subject
• 7 modes, including traditional flashcards, allow students to study in varied ways to help master material
• Generate your own content or use content other users have created

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Online Resource; iOS: iPad, iPhone, iPod touch; Android

30/30

Features:

• Create a task list and add a length of time to each task
• Start the timer, and when it’s time to move on to the next task, it will alert you
• Customize with colors, icons, and labels
• More Information:  http://3030.binaryhammer.com/

Cost: Free

Compatibility: iOS: iPad, iPhone, iPod touch

Cold Turkey

Features:

• Block distracting websites
• Set the websites you want to be blocked and for how long and go “cold turkey” from them
• If the timer is still going, you won’t be able to access your blocked websites
• The Pro version provides blocking of Applications, White Listing, Break Intervals, and Frozen Turkey features
• More Information: https://getcoldturkey.com/

Cost: Free 

Compatibility: Windows; Mac

Dark Room

Features:

• Use this tool to create distraction-free reading by removing visual clutter from web pages
• Use the pre-created themes or create your own with color, font, and text size
• Save your readings to Everyone for later reading or archiving
• More Information:  http://jjafuller.com/dark-room/

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Windows

Focus booster

Features:

• Pomodoro Timer to help you stay on task when completing work
• Using the Pomodoro Method of 25 minutes of work and a 5-minute break, maximize your work session
• Track your time more efficiently within your account
• Productivity reports on your dashboard
• Different visual themes for your flexibility
• More Information: https://www.focusboosterapp.com/

Cost: Trial: free; Individual: $3 a month; Professional: $5 a month

Compatibility: Online Resource; Windows; Mac

Rescuetime Dashboard

Features:

• Personal-Analytic service to track how you spend your time on your computer, smartphone, or tablet
• Get a customized report of what sites you visit and what you do on your devices
• No manual data entry; it tracks as you work
• More Information:  https://www.rescuetime.com/browser-plugin

Cost: Free

Compatibility: OS X, Windows, Linux, Android, Chrome OS

Stayfocused

Features:

• Increase your productivity by limiting the amount of time you spend on websites that waste your time
• Pre-program distracting and time-wasting websites
• When your time limit is up, these sites will be inaccessible for the rest of the day
• More Information:  http://goo.gl/I5OBeq

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Chrome extension

Strict Workflow

Features:

• Use this Chrome Extension to enforce a 25-minute and 5-minute break distraction-free work zone.
• Uses the Pomodoro Technique
• Blocks you from distracting websites you have set in your customizable list
• More Information: https://goo.gl/vMQqSI

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Chrome Extension

Timetracker

Features:

• Track how long you’ve been off-task on a website
• A running time clock appears at the top of the tab you have opened, counting how many minutes and seconds you’ve been on that website
• More Information:  http://goo.gl/uXKJgg

Cost: Free

Compatibility: Chrome Extension